August 2024 Google Core Update Rollout Reaches Completion

The latest Google core update rollout has been officially completed, marking another significant event for website owners and SEO professionals. The update, which started on August 15, 2024, and finished on September 3, 2024, introduced substantial changes to Google Search rankings, affecting a wide range of sites across different industries.

As with every update, the search giant sought to improve its search results by prioritising useful, relevant content and ensuring that searchers find what they need more efficiently. However, the latest iteration of Google’s core algorithm has stirred notable reactions, especially amongst small websites and independent publishers.

Key Highlights of the August 2024 Core Update

The August 2024 core update was not just a routine adjustment. It incorporated feedback Google received following the September 2023 helpful content update, which had negatively impacted many small websites. As a result, the August 2024 update specifically aimed to address concerns from these groups, offering a chance at recovery for sites that had been struggling since previous updates.

Websites Experience Search Ranking Fluctuations

The aftermath of the update has seen notable shifts in Google rankings. A survey conducted amongst website owners and administrators revealed the following trends:

• 44% reported a decrease in their rankings and traffic
• 27% experienced an improvement
• 29% saw no noticeable change

These figures highlight that while some sites saw positive gains, the majority either faced declines or experienced no improvement at all. While there have been some recoveries from the September 2023 update, the overall picture suggests that most sites did not see significant progress.

‘Ranking Bug’ Skews Core Update’s Impact?

An important caveat when analysing the impact of the August 2024 update is the ranking bug that occurred during its initial phase. For the first four days after the update’s release, a bug affected search results, causing unpredictable ranking shifts.

Google resolved this issue shortly afterward, so any ranking changes observed during that period should be disregarded. To get an accurate picture of how your site was impacted, it’s best to compare current rankings with data from just before the update was released.

Google Reiterates Commitment to Serving High-Quality Content

The search giant’s algorithm updates often revolve around improving search result quality, and the latest Google core update rollout was no different. John Mueller, Google’s Search Advocate, emphasised that the focus of the update was to promote high-quality, useful content, particularly from small and independent publishers.

Mueller’s statement highlights Google’s ongoing shift towards people-first content. The idea is simple: if your website prioritises user needs, delivers valuable information, and is genuinely useful to your target audiences, it is more likely to perform well in search rankings.

What To Do If You’ve Been Hit

For those who experienced a drop in rankings, it’s important to note that Google hasn’t provided any specific recovery steps. Historically, the search giant’s advice has been consistent: focus on creating helpful, people-first content, and over time, improvements may occur between updates.

Nevertheless, there are steps you can take if your web traffic and/or search ranking has been affected:

1. Evaluate your content

Consider the quality, relevance, and usefulness of your content. Ask whether it genuinely meets users’ needs or if it was created primarily to rank in search engines.

2. Review Google’s content guidelines

Google’s help page for creating helpful content offers a list of questions to help you evaluate the quality of your site’s pages. This page is updated regularly, and following its guidance can help improve your site’s performance.

3. Keep improving

Even if your site wasn’t affected by this update, there’s always room for improvement. Focus on enhancing the user experience, optimising content for readability, and ensuring your site is mobile-friendly.

At Springhill Marketing, we have been reminding everyone that there is no shortcut to recovery if you’ve been negatively impacted. Instead, the key is to create high-quality content that benefits your audience consistently.

Why This Matters

Whether your site saw improvements or declines in rankings after the Google core update rollout has been completed, the lessons remain the same: the search giant is keen on rewarding useful, reliable content. Every core update offers a new opportunity to reassess your website’s content strategy and work towards long-term improvements, not just for search rankings but for your users as well.

With core updates occurring several times a year, it’s crucial to stay on top of changes, continuously update your content, and ensure your site remains relevant.

Prepare for Future Updates

Similar to those before it, the August 2024 core update is part of a larger trend in Google’s commitment to delivering more useful, people-first content. This update will likely not be the last, and future adjustments will continue to refine how search results are ranked. For site owners like you, the focus should remain on producing high-quality content that prioritises the user’s needs over search engine performance.

While there’s no quick fix for drops in rankings, consistently improving your website’s content and adhering to Google’s guidelines will ensure that you’re well-positioned for future updates. This is why at Springhill Marketing, we offer expert SEO services to help local businesses like yours navigate Google’s ever-changing algorithm and ensure continuous growth and adaptation. Get in touch with us, and we’ll help you create a tailored SEO strategy that drives long-term success and keeps your business ahead of the competition.